WORLD NEWS: In what US President Donald Trump called a “historic and unprecedented event”, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first stage of a peace plan that could mark the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza.
Under the deal, Hamas has pledged to release all remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel will begin withdrawing its troops from much of the Gaza Strip to an “agreed-upon line”.
Speaking late on Wednesday night, Mr Trump said the agreement was “a fantastic day” and “a great day for the world”.
“The whole world has come together on this one – Israel, every country has come together,” he told Reuters. “This has been a fantastic day. This is a great day for the world. This is a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everybody.”
Hostage Families Celebrate as Hope Grows
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said of the deal:
“The Islamist terrorists have been offered a tremendous deal. They get an amnesty for their crimes – even the worst acts of murder and torture. They get to choose whether to live out their retirement in Gaza or take safe passage elsewhere. They get a Palestinian run Gaza and massive Western investment in the Gaza Strip. They get continued Western commitment to an eventual Palestinian state. All they have to do is release the 20 innocent Israeli hostages and the remains of the dead, renounce terrorism and abandon their disgusting charter of anti-Semitic violence. It’s not that much to ask.
“Hamas has the opportunity to make peace today, on excellent terms. If they fail to take it they will have no one to blame but themselves. If Hamas fails to agree this deal all anti-Israel protests should cease forthwith because they will have become manifestly ridiculous and redundant. If you really want to protest about Gaza, protest at the refusal of Hamas to make peace.”
News of the deal sparked emotional scenes in Tel Aviv, where families of hostages gathered in celebration. In Gaza, residents expressed cautious optimism, with many hoping the agreement could finally bring an end to months of devastating conflict.
Hamas confirmed it plans to release the 20 living hostages it is holding within days. Israel, in turn, is expected to begin pulling back its forces from large parts of the enclave.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he felt “profound relief” at the news.
“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said.
A Dramatic Announcement
The agreement came to light in dramatic fashion. During a White House roundtable on Antifa, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed President Trump a note mid-meeting.
“I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they’ll need me pretty quickly,” Mr Trump told those gathered.
The handwritten message reportedly read:
“We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
Moments later, Mr Trump made the announcement online.
Netanyahu Praises “Great Alliance”
Shortly after, the President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what was described as a “very warm and emotional” conversation. The Israeli leader thanked Mr Trump and invited him to address the Knesset.
In an official statement, Mr Netanyahu said he “would not rest” until all the hostages were home. “God Bless Israel. God Bless America. God Bless our great alliance,” he said.
Hamas Calls for US Oversight
Hamas, meanwhile, urged Washington to ensure Israel implements its part of the deal without delay.
In a statement, the group said mediators including Qatar, Egypt and Turkey should ensure Israel “implements the agreement’s requirements” fully and “not allow it to evade or delay the implementation of what has been agreed upon.”
Hamas said it agreed to the “first phase” of the proposal to end “the war of extermination against our Palestinian people and the occupation’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”
Diplomatic Moves Behind the Scenes
In Sharm el-Sheikh, Egyptian delegates were seen embracing moments before Mr Trump made his announcement. Israeli officials confirmed a formal proposal would go before ministers for approval on Thursday.
Talks were led by Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who joined negotiations in Egypt earlier in the day.
A follow-up ministerial meeting will be held in Paris on Thursday, where European, Arab and other states are set to discuss Gaza’s post-war transition.
Prisoner Releases and Future Phases
According to the outline of the deal, Israel has agreed to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences. Hamas submitted a list of prisoners it wants freed as part of the exchange.
The next phases of Mr Trump’s 20-point peace plan include a permanent ceasefire, disarmament of Hamas, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and large-scale reconstruction under Palestinian authority.
Mr Trump is expected to oversee the creation of a new transitional body, the Board of Peace, which would include former British prime minister Sir Tony Blair.
Eventually, talks are expected to move toward Palestinian “self-determination and statehood”.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump could travel to the region “as soon as Friday”, with reports suggesting a visit to Israel may take place on Sunday.
